Good Name Good Man

A Good Name Given to a Good Man

He was such a good man that the apostles gave him a new name! Barnabas is an amazing example to Christians today of what each of us should be. The history of the church was changed by this man. To look at his life and see his impact on the church can be a great encouragement to every Christian.

Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus. His heritage in the priestly tribe of Levi gave him preeminence among the Jews, but he readily embraced Christianity from the beginning. Obviously, he wanted to find God and serve him.

Barnabas gave Himself to the Lord. When those first Christians, who had come from every nation under heaven and perhaps stayed longer than they had planned, had need (Acts 2:5), the members who had property began selling it to supply others’ needs. Barnabas is the only person who is specifically mentioned as having such a compassionate heart (Acts 4:36-37).

Barnabas was given a new name by the apostles because of his spirituality. Until that time, he had been called Joses (Joseph), but he was given a new name. From that time on he was called Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” The church was in its infancy, but Barnabas was such an encourager to others, he was given a new name.

Barnabas was responsible for the flourishing of the church in Antioch. When the church in Jerusalem learned of the establishment of the church in Antioch, they sent Barnabas, “The Encourager,” to help. God described him as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” When he arrived “. . . a great many people were added to the Lord” (Acts 11:24).

Barnabas was responsible for helping Saul of Tarsus (we know him as Paul) find his place in the kingdom to serve the Lord. Those early Christians were afraid of Paul and were hesitant to accept him. “They were hearing only, ‘He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy’” (Gal. 1:22-23). It was “The Encourager” who came to rescue Paul. He went from Antioch to Paul, who had returned to his home city of Tarsus, and brought him to work with the church in Antioch (Acts 11:26).

Barnabas was responsible for Mark finding his place of service in the church. Mark was his nephew and traveled with Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey. Paul was disappointed in what Mark did, but “The Encourager” stood up for this young Christian. Barnabas stood up against the great apostle. Had he not done this, we would be missing one of the books of the Bible, the gospel of Mark.

Think about it. What name would your brethren give to you? Discourager? Complainer? Lazy? Undependable? God help us all to become like “The Encourager”!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Good Name Good Man

Beyond the Plateau

In Wyoming, there are a number of plateaus. Their images cut clearly against the sky. As the light hits the plateau throughout the day, the strata displays a variety of appealing red, orange, brown, and grey tones, and a lazy shadow plods along at the side. In truth, not all plateaus have this distinct desert look. Some of the world’s plateaus are covered over in vegetation, some are underwater, and there can be quite a variation in sizes. To understand how big a plateau can be, it is said the state of Wyoming itself is a large plateau broken up by mountain ranges. Plateaus are created and shaped by wind, rain, movement of the earth’s crust, and even lava flows.

There is another meaning for the term plateau which is taken from the geologic feature. The term plateau can mean a point where growth, increase, or improvement has leveled off. For Christians, this is not a beautiful thing. They are called to continual growth.

2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.

That growth comes from knowing and following the Word of God. When spiritual growth occurs, plateaus are left and a grand peak is climbed.

I Peter 1:1-2 – Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;

Rather than geologic forces shaping the Christian life, humanity tries to shape it into a plateau. It tries to make the Christian like everyone else. It encourages his media choices. It suggests or tries to enforce worldly standards of morality. It offers many types of gods. If successful, these influences will not only cause a plateau in the life of a Christian, but they will erode it away into nothingness.

Matthew 7:24-27 – Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.  And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Beyond the Plateau

John 16 – The Disciples Informed

Jesus begins this chapter with “these things.” What things? Jesus proceeded to review things that he had just told his disciples, but now gives them more information. In Jn. 15:20, Jesus reminded the disciples of the principle that He had mentioned in which a slave is not greater than his master. And so, ultimately, the disciples would experience opposition because of Jesus. And, people would reject Jesus because they did not know God who had sent Him. Thus, by His preaching and working miracles, he had confronted people with their rebellion against God. But, their hatred did not jeopardize God’s plan. And so, even though the world rejected Jesus, there was no cause for it. But upon Jesus leaving his disciples, he would send the Comforter who would then be with the apostles. Yet as Jesus’ disciples, they could not love the world (1 John 2:15-17) or be conformed to the world (Rom. 12:1-2). And in fact, the apostle’s situation would even be dangerous because the world’s opposition was of hatred (Jn. 15:18-19), persecution (Jn. 15:20), excommunication, and even death (Jn. 16:1-4) would turn towards them because they would be identified with Christ.

Now, for three years, Jesus had been with them to protect them from attack; but now He was about to leave them. And, Jesus tells them the reason for Him to return to the Father is so the Comforter would come so as to help them be witnesses of the life of Jesus. Of course, he also left so that He could intercede for His people (Christians). Yet, this was difficult for them to grasp at this time (vs. 12). Thus, the Spirit becomes the teacher, through the apostles (vs. 13). He testifies of Jesus and He glorifies Him (vs. 14). So, people who claim that the Spirit of God led them to do things contrary to the example of Christ or the teaching of the Word are mistaken and are being led astray by Satan. For, Jesus is the truth (Jn. 14:6), and the Word is truth (Jn. 17:17), and the Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of Truth.” So, where the Holy Spirit is at work is never separate and apart from the truth. That is why when we study the Word, we see Jesus Christ which helps us to know God better and to glorify Him in our lives. And, as we teach in a hostile world, the Spirit uses the Word he has taught us and that we share, to convict the lost.

Now, in vs. 16-22, Jesus announced that in a little while, they would not see Him; then, in a little while, they would see Him. It was a puzzling statement (vs. 25) and the disciples did not understand. What did Jesus mean? It could be about his burial and how he would die and then rise from the grave or it may be that he was speaking of His return to the Father (vs. 16, 10). Instead of asking Jesus to explain His words, the men began to discuss it among themselves, almost as though they were embarrassed to admit their ignorance. However, you do not get very far by exchanging your ignorance! It is when we come to the Lord and ask for His help that we learn the important lessons of life. And what we learn is to wait for the coming of Jesus. But while we are waiting, we must deal with our trials and hurts on the basis of transformation if we expect to mature in the Christian life (Rom. 12:1-2).

Now, in vs. 23-28, we learn of the time after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. It would be a time when Jesus would no longer be with them and they would have to request answers to their questions from the Father in prayer. Now, Jesus knew they wanted to ask Him a question (vs. 19). But, Jesus encouraged the disciples to ask the Father for whatever they needed and that they would be granted as long as they were offered “in Jesus’ name” (Jn. 14:13-14). But, the disciples had not appealed to the Father in Jesus’ name before now. So, Jesus urges His disciples a second time to “ask” the Father realizing that while Jesus was on earth, He met all the needs of the disciples. But upon returning to the Father, the Father would meet their needs. Things were certainly changing there in the Upper Room, He had used a number of symbolic images to get His message across: the washing of their feet, the “Father’s house,” the vine and branches, and the birth of a baby. In the days that followed, these images would become clearer to the disciples as they would be taught by the Spirit of God. Jesus would return to heaven to be with the Father, and there He would minister as our High Priest, making intercession for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25).

Now, in John 16:29-30, the disciples suddenly moved out of their spiritual stupor and made a tremendous affirmation of faith. First, they claimed to understand what He had been teaching them, though this claim was probably presumptuous, as their actions proved. They seemed unable to grasp the meaning of His promised resurrection. In fact, they were bewildered even after His resurrection as to the future of Israel (Acts 1:6ff). Yet, they not only affirmed their understanding, but they also affirmed their faith and assurance. Well, Jesus would later speak to the Father about their spiritual condition (Jn. 17:6-8). Certainly He knew their weaknesses, but He was quick to approve their growing evidences of faith and assurance. But it is possible to have faith, understanding, and assurance and still fail the Lord. And, unless we practice that faith, apply that understanding, and rest on that assurance, we will fail when the time of testing comes.

That is what happened to the disciples, and Jesus warned them that it would happen. He had already warned Peter that he would deny Him, but now He warned the entire band of disciples that they would all forsake Him. But, why did He tell them all this? It was so the disciples might have peace in a world of tribulation. What? Every believer is either overcome or an overcomer. “And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 Jn. 5:4). The world wants to overcome us; this is why Satan uses the world to persecute and pressure believers. The world wants us to conform; it does not want us to be different. When we yield ourselves to Christ and trust Him, He enables us to be overcomers. Thus, we are told to “cheer up!” (vs. 33). His victory over the world can make us overcomers because He has first overcome for us. There is joy when we permit God to transform sorrow into joy, when he answers our prayers and when we overcome the world.

Posted in Robert Notgrass | Tagged , , | Comments Off on John 16 – The Disciples Informed

Unguarded Approach

On July 4th, 1776, a British armada carrying some 34,000 soldiers began landing on Staten Island where Lt. Gen. Sir William Howe made his headquarters.  On August 22nd, they began preparing to cross from Staten Island to just south of Brooklyn on Long Island and by August 26th they were heading toward Brooklyn which was defended by George Washington’s Continental Army of 13000.  Howe’s goal was the capture of Manhattan Island where the British would have control of the Hudson River driving a wedge between the American forces.  On August 27th, the British attacked and drove back Washington’s men to the BrooklynHeights.  This forced Washington to retreat over the East River to ManhattanIsland by a dangerous but brilliant night crossing. The Jamaican pass was the key to British victory because they were able to march a large force and flank Washington’s armies.  The Jamaican pass was surrendered without a shot being fired because it was an unguarded approach.

The Christian soldier fights his battles on a daily basis.  While the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:4), we must still keep an eye open on all avenues through which Satan would seek to take advantage of us (2 Corinthians 2:11).  If we leave any approach unguarded, Satan will surely use that to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).  What are some of these unguarded approaches that Satan may use?

One often unguarded approach is the television set.  Hollywood loves to influence the nation toward its liberal philosophy by means of broadcast media.  Television allows such control.  Homosexuality has made favorable inroads into the American consciousness through television programs that desensitize the subject through humor and sympathy.  Television has undermined the authority of the husband and father in the home by casting them as ridiculous and unnecessary.  Television also has a great effect upon our speech; what is said on television is imitated by its fanatics.  Satan has insidiously flanked us through this unguarded approach.

Another unguarded approach is personal modesty.  The temptation for many is to disregard decency and reveal as much of one’s body as possible exposing breasts, buttocks, and bellies.  Is it any wonder that our country has problems with unwanted pregnancy, venereal disease, and unwed mothers?  According to some recent studies, the average age for a girl losing her virginity is 14.9 years old. Satan has outwitted many of our youth through this unguarded approach.

Finally, many of us are so consumed with managing the details of our own lives that we never find the time to work for the Lord.  We wake up, eat breakfast and then are off to work.  We get home, eat dinner, watch TV and the day is over.  When do we read our Bibles, spend some time in prayer, or talk to a friend about the Lord?  This process repeats itself daily until Sunday when we have to take the day off “for self.”  Satan has conquered us through this unguarded approach.

How many other unguarded approaches do we have?  The question at this point isn’t do we have them, but what to do about them.  We must be vigilant in not giving Satan any advantage over us.  We need to keep a close watch on those approaches that we take for granted and leave unguarded.  Let us be sober minded, realizing that Satan can use any avenue we leave unguarded.  We have a good fight to fight; let us fight it with perseverance and truth.

Posted in Kevin Cauley | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Unguarded Approach

Free at Last

About 44 years ago Martin Luther King, Jr., in his famous Lincoln memorial speech, spoke those timeless words, “Free at last, Free at last, Thank God Almighty, we are free at last.”  That speech, though short, still resonates in the hearts of many Americans today.  But truly the thought of freedom has been the focal point of Americans since we
became a nation by finally winning our independence from Great Britain (officially in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris).  For generations we have celebrated that independence on the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence (by the second continental congress) on July 4, 1776.

We love our freedom, don’t we?  Surely no one would want to be a slave to the dominion of oppression.  But did you know that is exactly what many people choose to do spiritually?  Sin enslaves. Jesus said, “…whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (Jn. 8:34).  Romans 6:16 says, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?”

You have a choice, friends (just as Cain had a choice -Gen 4:7). Jesus has the solution: “…If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:31-32).  Wouldn’t you like to be “free at last”?

Posted in Aaron Veyon | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Free at Last